Longhu Park Fishing Diary: My 1-Hour Morning Session (2°C, 1.5m Depth)

Okay, let’s cut to the chase—fishing at Longhu Park at 6:30 AM on September 27, 2024? Total mixed bag. I rolled up excited, gear all prepped, and left with 3 tiny crucian carp… plus a bunch of notes on what worked (and what didn’t). If you’re planning a trip here, stick around—this is the real, unfiltered lowdown.

First Things First: My Gear Setup (No Fancy Stuff, Just What Worked)

Let’s be real—you don’t need a $500 rod to catch fish at Longhu. Here’s what I packed, and why it mattered:

Rod: Zhulu·Crucian 3.6m

This is my go-to budget rod for small ponds like Longhu. It’s light enough to cast all morning without arm cramps, and sensitive enough to feel even tiny bites (which is basically all I got). Pro tip: If you’re targeting crucian carp here, 3.3–3.6m is perfect—any longer and you’ll be fighting the shoreline trees.

Line & Hook: 1.5+0.8 Line, Size 3 Sleeve Hook

1.5 lb main line, 0.8 lb leader—super thin, so it’s invisible to skittish fish. The size 3 sleeve hook? Small enough for tiny crucians, but strong enough I didn’t snap it when I accidentally hooked a stick (oops). Avoid bigger hooks here—you’ll just miss bites.

Floats: Yiwei LV-012 No. 2 Reed Float (1.3g Weight)

This float was a game-changer… mostly because I could actually see bites. It’s super sensitive—even a tiny nibble made the tip dip. The paint on the float tail is bright, so I didn’t have to squint through the morning mist. Only con? Reed floats break easy—keep a backup in your bag!

Bait: Wuliang You Formula (No Glue Powder, 1:1 Water Ratio)

I’m obsessed with this bait right now. Here’s why it worked for Longhu:

• 1:1 water ratio = perfect consistency—stays on the hook 2–30 seconds (long enough for crucians to check it out)
• No extra glue powder = soft, fluffy texture—fish don’t have to work hard to bite
• Salty-sweet smell = crucians go crazy for it here (I’ve tested 5+ baits—this is top 3)

Pro move: Mix it the night before, let it sit in the fridge. The flavor infuses better, and it’s ready to go at 6 AM (no fumbling with mixing when the bite is on).

The Session: 6:30 AM – 7:30 AM (What Actually Happened)

Let’s break down the hour—no sugarcoating. I set up at the north shore (1.5m depth, which I picked because the water was calm there). Here’s the play-by-play:

6:30 AM – 6:50 AM: Waiting (And Waiting)

First 20 minutes? Nada. Zilch. I started second-guessing my bait, my float, even my shoes. Did I mix the bait wrong? Was the water too cold? (It was 22°C, which is mild—should’ve been good.) Then I remembered: crucians are slow in the morning. They don’t start feeding until the sun hits the water a little.

6:50 AM – 7:10 AM: The First Bite (Finally!)

Boom—float dips. I wait 2 seconds (rule: never jerk on the first dip), then set the hook. Small crucian! Maybe 10cm long. I reeled it in, took a pic, and released it (no keepers yet—too tiny). Then 5 minutes later, another bite. Same size. By 7:10, I had 2.

7:10 AM – 7:30 AM: Slow Down, Then One More

Then… nothing for 15 minutes? Wait, no—7:25, float dips again. Set the hook, another tiny crucian. That was it. Total: 3. Ugh.

My Honest Thoughts: Why I Only Caught 3 (And What I’d Do Different)

Let’s get real—3 fish in an hour? That’s not “good” by any stretch. But I know why it happened. Here’s the tea:

Mistake 1: Too Early?

Wait, 6:30 AM is early, but crucians usually feed at dawn. But maybe the water was still too cold? Or the fish were spooked by the few people walking the shore? I think next time I’ll start at 7 AM instead—let the sun warm the water a little.

Mistake 2: No Chum?

Duh! I forgot to chum the spot the night before. Chumming with a little rice and bread crumbs would’ve drawn the fish in. I’m kicking myself for that—chum is non-negotiable for small ponds like Longhu.

Mistake 3: Wrong Spot?

I picked the north shore because it’s calm, but maybe the fish were at the west shore (deeper water, 2m)? Or near the bridge (where people feed ducks, so bait is already there)? Next time I’ll test 2–3 spots in an hour instead of sticking to one.

Longhu Park Fishing: Pro Tips for Newbies (From Someone Who Messed Up)

If you’re heading to Longhu, don’t make my mistakes. Here’s what to do:

Timing: Evening > Morning (But Bring a Jacket)

I’ve fished here at 7 PM before—caught 12 crucians in 2 hours. Why? The water warms up during the day, so fish are more active. Only downside? It gets cold after sunset—bring a hoodie and gloves.

Depth: 1.2–2m is Gold

Longhu’s fish hang out in 1.2–2.2m depth. Too shallow (1m) = spooked by people. Too deep (3m) = no sunlight, so no food. Stick to the middle shorelines.

Bait: Stick to Salty-Sweet (Avoid Strong Smells)

Crucians here hate strong smells (like garlic or fish oil). Stick to mild baits: Wuliang You formula, bread, or corn. Test 2–3 baits if the first one doesn’t work.

Rules: Don’t Forget the Basics

• No fishing in the “no-take” zone (signs are by the south gate)
• Take all your trash with you (rangers are strict—they’ll kick you out)
• Keep only fish over 15cm (small ones taste bad anyway)

Wrap-Up: Will I Be Back? (Spoiler: Yes… But At Night)

Okay, so 3 fish in an hour isn’t great. But Longhu is still my favorite local spot—it’s quiet, the water is clean, and the rangers don’t hassle you (as long as you follow rules). Next time I’m going at 7 PM, chumming the spot the night before, and testing the west shore. Fingers crossed for more fish!

What about you? Have you fished Longhu? Did you catch more than 3? Drop a comment below—let’s swap tips! And if you’re planning a trip, let me know how it goes—I’ll be cheering you on (and avoiding the morning sessions for a while).